Quick Bites: Seasonal Sweet Tooth

Winter weather is finally here. And the shortest day of the year is fast approaching. Usually I console myself with some afternoon cross-country ski jaunts,

Winter weather is finally here. And the shortest day of the year is fast approaching. Usually I console myself with some afternoon cross-country ski jaunts, but with little snow accumulation so far, I find myself instead searching out sweet treats.

Bend's classics have been joined by a recent proliferation of new candy shops, specialty bakeries and ice cream joints. The expanded selection of easily begotten sweet treats is delightful, but sometimes filling the craving requires more decision-making than you might want.

Here, for your mouth-watering pondering, are a few of my favorites:

Shakes: The Fresh Banana Shake at Dandy's Drive-in has gotten me through the end of many a stressful work day. Most places use banana syrup, but this shake made with fresh banana is tops! It doesn't hurt that the shake is delivered by servers on roller skates. $1.75 - $2.50. (Dandy's Drive-In; 1334 NE 3rd St; 382-6141)

Cupcakes: You can't do better for a cupcake than with a place that specializes in just that. Le Cakery's cupcakes come in mix-and-match flavors and icings. My favorite is the chocolate cupcake with German chocolate frosting. $1.50 - $2.50. (Le Cakery; 1227 NW Galveston; 383-2345)

Sundaes: A stroll to Goody's on a winter evening can be rewarded with a wide variety of treats. But my favorite is the Linda's Love - a sundae presented in a waffle cone dish, filled with chocolate-almond ice cream and topped with a Bing cherry and bittersweet chocolate sauces, whipped cream, nuts, and a cherry. A heavenly combination! $4.50 - $5.50. (Goody's; 957 NW Wall St; 389-5185)